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A subjectively reported feeling independently reported by many foreigners = the phenomena exists. None of the people talking about the aggravation of microaggression ever made the claim that this aggravation outweighed all the pros of Taiwan. They just said microaggression exists. So the haters are beating down a nonexistent strawman.

Personally, I think it's perfectly normal that some people react to the situation differently. Denying the validity of those feelings is the first step towards repressing and losing touch with your emotions, and becoming a neurotic psycho that beats his wife and kids and then buries a couple of deliverymen in your backyard. I'd rather hear a few people microwank their troubles away on forumosa.

Denying the validity of those feelings is the first step towards repressing and losing touch with your emotions, and becoming a neurotic psycho that beats his wife and kids and then buries a couple of deliverymen in your backyard. I'd rather hear a few people microwank their troubles away on forumosa.

IMO the same is valid for those how feel so strongly that microaggrssion is not existing or think it is just a minor annoyance in Taiwan. If you look at all the efforts being made to ridicule and scorn those people who feel the weight of microagressions it becomes clear that this group has a lot of frustration. I think it is good that they let their anger out. It should be noted though that the attacks go far beyond a "we must ridicule the notion of micraaggression" attitude. It includes personal ridiculing and scorning as well.

The personal scorning and ridiculing is mostly a one-way alley on this board.

In my Mandarin Chinese class at University, my teacher, who is from China, wrote the character for ‘banana’ on the board. Then she pointed to my friend Tania, who is ethnically Chinese but born here and whose family is from Mauritius, and said Tania is like a banana because she’s yellow on the outside… you get it. Tania left the room and later dropped out of the class. The teacher was flabbergasted.

I made the point earlier in this thread that it boils down to feeling like a part of society vs. feeling like an outsider as you go through your day. Of course different people are going to get noticed, but I also think taking notice of someone different and taking it to a level where they strongly feel noticed/pointed out are completely different things.

I just returned from my first visit to Taidong, and I got a totally different vibe over there. Didn't feel gawked at or anything, felt like people have better things to do than stop themselves to look even if they do notice you. Really, very little 'weirdness', as far as I can recall...people going about their day and letting others do the same. Make of it what you will.

I found the same thread on the other site though the # answers were limited, bringing me back here to assess a more representative balance in "I feel victimized" vs. "Stop Whining".

Touduke's position is clear - thus I feel more for Deuper and some other longer wielding expats here, downsizing the negativity some have (coming out of personal frustrations ?)Guess the longer you're on the Wan, the softer and easier-going you get - not perceiving the local behavior as insulting.

I did not found similar responses here as the one below which was IMhumbleO - a far stretch in the Taiwanese context of Microaggressions

...But approaching people or yelling at them just because they look different is just racist

-

My shared on TWease:Part 1 :

What (majority/minority) tend to call micro aggressions (on the other site) are by far non-intentional and non-harmfull.- Kids whom are brave enough to shout "Hello" : merely trying to let the foreigner in the proximity he/she learns English- The taxi-driver, asking from where you are (merely trying to show he is educated and knows more about the world than the small lane in Taipei you are heading too)- The business guy, (mis)using the nearby sitting xxx throwing in a Kampei (merely expressing his social open kindness -mindness)

Part 2:

Yet- majority of micraggressions can be turned into compliments. If you see evil in any social "give me attention" attitude of locals, you should re-think your role in the society in that (this) country: You're the host's guest- and for that you are special- attracting people whom would never be bold enough to walk of their predetermined local behavior path.

Again, the above solely confirms that we are a (white/black) interesting minority group - attracting local's to behave differently , being curious . Deal with it or put up a non-hostile mask.Either fake an answer, respond in South African but keep your positivity. Don't make an elephant from a mosquito

The best remark I found here was solely questioning yourself :"How thick is your skin ?" Well, it grows with wisdom age.

I like this debate / discussion. You don't have to agree with me but it does not give you the right throwing micro aggressions towards my thick skin

I’m a dog shaped ashtrayI’m a shrugging moustache wearing a speedo tuxedoI’m a movie with no plot, written in the back seat of a piss powered taxi I’m an imperial armpit, sweating ChiantiI’m a toilet with no seat, flushing tradition downI'm socialist lingerieI'm diplomatic technoI'm gay pastry and racist cappuccinoI’m an army on holiday in a guillotine museumI’m a painting made of hair, on a nudist beach, eating McDonald'sI’m a novel far too longI’m a sentimental songI’m a yellow tooth waltzing with wrap around shades on

touduke wrote:I think it's a good idea to have a sticky thread in which people can post their microaggression-stories.

Seriously?! Like a Super Duper Rant Page expressing and venting all negativity ?

I'm just glad its not part of my life. Sounds to me like it must a real downer.

Amen on that Sandman

I’m a dog shaped ashtrayI’m a shrugging moustache wearing a speedo tuxedoI’m a movie with no plot, written in the back seat of a piss powered taxi I’m an imperial armpit, sweating ChiantiI’m a toilet with no seat, flushing tradition downI'm socialist lingerieI'm diplomatic technoI'm gay pastry and racist cappuccinoI’m an army on holiday in a guillotine museumI’m a painting made of hair, on a nudist beach, eating McDonald'sI’m a novel far too longI’m a sentimental songI’m a yellow tooth waltzing with wrap around shades on

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